Before Nigeria's independence in 1960, the territory that now constitutes Imo State was part of the Eastern Region, one of the country's original administrative divisions.[5] During the colonial era, British officials governed the Eastern Region, with Clement Pleass (1954–1956) and Robert Stapledon (1956–1960) serving as governors. After independence, Francis Akanu Ibiam (1960–1966) became the first Nigerian governor of the Eastern Region, while Michael Okpara served as its premier (1960–1966). However, following Nigeria’s first military coup in January 1966, the military abolished the regional system, dismissed civilian premiers, and appointed military administrators, with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu governing the Eastern Region from January 1966 until its dissolution in May 1967.[5][6] A premier was responsible for the region's executive functions.[7] Administrators were usually appointed to rule a state when there is a political crisis or state of emergency.[8]
East Central State
East Central State was created on 27 May 1967 by the military government of Yakubu Gowon as part of a national restructuring effort that dissolved the regional system and replaced it with twelve states.[9] The new state was carved out of the former Eastern Region and was composed predominantly of Igbo-speaking populations.[10][11] Its capital was Enugu.[12]
The state existed from 1967 until 3 February 1976, when it was divided into two separate states—Anambra and Imo—under the nationwide state-creation exercise carried out by the military regime of Murtala Mohammed.[13][10] During its nine-year existence, East Central State was governed entirely by military-appointed officials. The first was Ukpabi Asika, who was appointed as administrator in 1967 and remained in office until July 1975.[14][15] His tenure covered the entire duration of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), during which he oversaw the East Central State government’s efforts to manage war-related devastation, provide relief, and reintegrate the region into Nigeria.[16] In July 1975, he was replaced by Anthony Ochefu, a military officer who governed the state until its dissolution in February 1976.[17]
A military governor was the head of a state during Nigeria's military era, appointed by the head of the federal military government to administer states, as established by Decree No. 14 of 1967. He exercised executive powers on behalf of the central military government.[18] In contrast, an executive governor is the democratically elected chief executive of a state under the 1999 Constitution, empowered to lead the state government, implement laws, and oversee public administration. The deputy governor is elected on the same ticket as the governor and serves as the second-in-command, assuming the governorship in the event of the governor's death, incapacitation, or resignation, and assisting in administrative duties as assigned.[2]
Imo State
Imo State was created on 3 February 1976 following the subdivision of the former East Central State into Anambra and Imo States, as part of a nationwide restructuring executed by the military government of Murtala Mohammed.[19][10] From its creation, Imo has undergone multiple phases of military and civilian governance. The first military governor of Imo State was Ndubuisi Kanu, who governed from March 1976 until 1977.[20] He was succeeded by Adekunle Lawal (1977–1978), followed by Sunday Ajibade Adenihun, who served until the end of military rule in 1979.[21] In the Second Republic, Sam Mbakwe of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) became the first elected civilian governor of Imo State, holding office from October 1979 to December 1983, until the 1983 Nigerian coup d'état ended the civilian administration.[22][23] Following the coup, military governors resumed control, beginning with Ike Nwachukwu (1984–1985), then Allison Madueke (1985–1986), Amadi Ikwechegh (1986–1990), and Anthony Oguguo (1990–1992).[24] In the short-lived Third Republic, Evan Enwerem of the National Republican Convention (NRC) was elected governor and served from January 1992 until the return of military rule in November 1993.[25] Subsequent military administrators were James Aneke (1993–1996) and Tanko Zubairu (1996–1999), who remained in office until the restoration of democratic governance in 1999.[26][27]
↑ Geopolitical zones are administrative groupings of Nigeria's states into six broad regions. Introduced during the military rule of Sani Abacha, the zones were designed to reflect regional cultural, economic, and political distinctions and have since served as frameworks for allocating resources, infrastructure, and representation across the country.[3]
↑ Nigeria's regional system of government was a decentralised political structure where the country was divided into autonomous regions—each with its own legislature, executive, and judiciary—allowing them to govern internal affairs and manage resources independently, while still operating under a central federal authority.[4]
↑ For elected governors, the date of inauguration is listed.
↑ Bernard Amalaha was originally Mbakwe's running mate but Amalaha was disqualified by the Supreme Court, and Mbakwe nominated Uzoigwe as new deputy.[38]
↑ Adogamhe 2012, p.200, "One motive was to preempt Colonel Ojukwu’s at-tempt to secede from the federation by giving minorities of the South-Eastern and Rivers Areas the right to manage their own affairs independently of the Igbo, who dominated the East Central State.".
Fejokwu, Law C. (1995). Nigeria, the Military & Political Leadership: A Compendium on the Socio-economic & Development Dynamics. Polcom Press. OCLC35643343.
Imo at 25. Imo State Ministry of Information and Culture. 2001. p.19. OCLC123503606.
Alabi, Mojeed Olujinmi A. (2005). "Emergency Powers in Nigeria: Legal and Constitutional Issues". The Constitution. 5 (4): 1–22. hdl:10520/AJA15955753_142.
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